I wish my colleagues and friends in the House a happy new year. This has not been a nice new year for everybody.

I was very saddened by a call I received last Sunday with regard to the horrific death of Tom O'Gorman. He was a very fine thinker and researcher and someone I had got to know recently. I offer my sympathy to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Yesterday I spent four and three quarter hours at a committee meeting discussing Irish Water and was shocked by what I heard. I learned there is absolutely no respect for Members of the Dáil or the Seanad. Uisce Éireann made it very clear to us and documented that every decision and cent was signed off by the Department but when people tabled questions-----

I am sorry, Senator-----

I have a question for the Leader. People tabled questions to the Minister, of which Uisce Éireann was aware, but it had no responsibility to answer them, but the Minister did not answer them either. I learned that rushed legislation, secret deals, and no answers except for a €50 million leak-----

These are issues the Senator can raise during the debate.

I am coming to my question. This is despicable politics by the Minister. I am ashamed to say it, but it is true. It is not good enough for him to state he did not know, otherwise why is he in the position? We need a debate in the House on Oireachtas reform, which is required to ensure good parliamentary practice whereby Members of the Seanad and the Dáil are not viewed with contempt. We are the voice of the people.

The Senator is over time.

They rely on us and we are being viewed with contempt. It is not good enough.